After WWII all private airlines in New Zealand were nationalized and NAC (National Airways Corporation) was formed as New Zealandís first state-owned enterprise. The original order for 3 Viscount 807s took place in 1955 with two additional Viscounts being added later. Vickers Viscount c/n 283 first flew on February 24, 1959 and delivered to NAC in Christchurch, New Zealand as ZK-BRF on March 23, 1959. ZK-BRF operated with NAC until it was withdrawn from service and stored on July 12, 1974. In 1975 it was donated to the Ferrymead Museum of Science.

Designed as a medium-range pressurized turboprop aircraft, the Vickers Viscount first flew on July 16, 1948. As the world's first turboprop airliner, the Viscount filled a need for passenger transport on less popular routes. The early 630 design could carry 32 passengers, but it was ultimately rejected because of high per-passenger costs that made it impractical for commercial purposes. The redesigned 700 could carry up to 48 passengers, and the later Type 800 "Super Viscount" added an extra 23 passengers for a total of 71. The Viscount remained in airline service until 1985, when it became primarily a charter service aircraft.